Ambastaia sidthimunki (Klausewitz, 1959)
Dwarf botia
photo by Janiczak, B.J.

Family:  Botiidae (Pointface loaches), subfamily: Botiinae
Max. size:  5.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 8; dH range: 5 - 19
Distribution:  Asia: Chao Phraya and Mekong basins (Ref. 43281) and Maeklong basin (Ref. 58784).
Diagnosis:  Body with black dorsal stripe; 7-8 branched dorsal rays; a black midlateral stripe, dispersed as a series of joined blotches posteriorly and connected by bars to dorsal stripe (Ref. 12693).
Biology:  Occurs in medium to large-sized rivers and flooded fields (Ref. 12975). Found in small muddy lakes and other standing water habitats. Active by day and often schools in some distance above the bottom (Ref. 12693). Feeds on aquatic invertebrates (Ref. 12693). Not fished commercially, but highly regarded as aquarium fish (Ref. 12693).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 17 February 2011 (B2ab(iii,v)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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